Château de Gramont

One of just six national monuments in the Midi-​Pyrenees region, the castle in the tiny village of Gramont offers an interesting history and splendid hilltop views.
Originally a medieval castle, the building was extended in the Renaissance and can be seen as a stately home of a South West France of an era in which people lived well.
Its typically French garden, its lovely views towards the Pyrenees, its location in charming, rolling countryside, its furnished rooms, and, of course, its architecture make it a place you should visit if you are in the Lomagne area.
The castle is composed of two wings in a T shape.
The shorter of the two, the top of the T, seems to include the original feudal castle. Its oldest parts date from the 13^th century and sit alongside the so-​called Simon de Montfort tower. This tower has provision for the firing of arms, probably added in the 14^th century.
After the tower are the stables, dating from the 17^th century or just after, as does the gateway, which replaced a drawbridge with portcullis, whose grooves can still be seen in the stonework.
Some of the windows and watchtowers are additions from the 19^th century.
The second wing is bigger and includes housing on two storeys. It is from the Renaissance period, built of limestone of a bluish grey.
The château has been restored by the present owners, who have done everything possible to remove ill-​advised additions made over the years to the building, in an effort to return it to an authentic appearance, given the various dates of its construction. The restoration work took ten years.
There is a guided tour of the château which is highly recommended.
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